National
Nine arrests made as a series of protests surround the Melbourne Cup
Nine people have been arrested as several demonstrations take place across Melbourne, protesting against COVID-19 vaccination passports, Premier Daniel Andrews and the Melbourne Cup.
Around 200 protesters have marched from Footscray Park to the gates of Flemington Racecourse to take a stand against the government’s actions around COVID-19.
The group have been seen carrying signs and bans that read, “Sack Dan” and “No vaccine passport” and chanting lines including, “Save our future, save our children” and “kill the bill”.
READ MORE: Protesters use Squid Game demonstration ‘to denounce Melbourne Cup’
Police are watching over the crowd from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, police have made nine arrests as animal rights protesters have gathered directly opposite the gates to Flemington to say “Nup to the Cup”.
According to police, two people pulled up outside the racecourse about 10.10am with a load of manure.
Eight protesters then tried to chain themselves to the truck, a police spokesperson has said.
All were arrested, as was the driver of the truck.
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A woman was seen chanting, “Nup to the Cup” as she lay on a road while police handcuffed her.
Other animal rights protesters have gathered to picnic opposite the racecourse in Kensington’s Newmarket Reserve to peacefully take a stand against the iconic horseracing event.
READ MORE: Cases drop below 1000 in Victoria as thousands flock to Flemington
https://twitter.com/gillianlant/status/1455332716409339905
In the event’s invitation, organisers explained, “Our presence is important to demonstrate to race goers and other passers-by that you can still have a good time without engaging in animal abuse”.
